Selected Settler Correspondence 1820 - 1837

Whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46 at the National Archives), whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed. There are many other letters in later files, thought not to be written by eventual settlers. However, if an ancestor is known to have emigrated after the 1820 settlers then it might be worth looking through the rest of the correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically. The relevant files for letters written in 1820 are CO48/52 (A-L) and CO48/53 (M-Y). Later files are labelled "Original Correspondence" followed by the year, and can be found from CO48/56 (1821) to CO48/186 (1837).

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy. The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

RAWSTORNE, F, 1827

Written by Sue Mackay.

National Archives, Kew, CO48/114, 398

61 Warren St, FitzRoy Square

April 20th 1827

Sir

Being on the point of proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope with the intention of soliciting a grant of land in the settlement of Albany, I have the honor to request to be favour'd with a letter to the Land Governor of that Colony, directing me to be placed on the footing of the original settlers in that district, with reference to their gratuitous admissions to the rights and privileges of a Burgher under the existing laws.